Timewaster's Guide Archive
Alternate Realities => TW(i)G => Topic started by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on December 01, 2003, 09:52:56 AM
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OK, NaNoWriMo is over. Now is the time for all good time wasters... yatta yatta
Sprig is doing Parthann and Tarth, since they're so related.
I'll be doing the Tylerian Empire
We need people to write updetail about the cultures, politics, and peoples of the following regions:
Bregtoran
Silkur
The Free Cities
The Free Colonies
Bask
The Nomad Plains
The Bay of Pirates, The Kharnis Highlands and the Shodu Bay
Let's get cracking. Note that there are little dots on the map to indicate where cities are located. These are only the biggest cities. They are not ALL the cities. Each review should have sections on:
Military
Culture
Government and Politics
Geography
International Relations
Religion
Major Cities (which should have brief information on the above sections, as well as important sites in the city)
I'm sure we'll refine and edit that list as we go. I'm thinking 5-10 pages per nation. If you go over, though, I'm sure we'll still use it. Not going to 5 pages, however, will force us to send the Ninja Asassin Priests. Be sure to pay attention to the information in the main summary (found at http://www.timewastersguide.com/view.php?id=608 if you forgot)
Spriggan and I will act as editors and coordinators. Specific questions can be asked of us via email when you're assigned one of us. General questions and volunteering can be done here.
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I had mentioned before that I'd like to write up Silkur. That still okay?
Also, it would be nice to get some detail on the differences between TW(i)G humans and normal humans. Are the different types dispersed randomly about the world, or are there concentrations? Do people of one nation/race tend to be of one type? What exactly are the natures of the different types? Etc.
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The humans have elemental traits, influenced by their environment.
Humans are different on Azmoth than on many other worlds. Several groups of angels were responsible for creating them, and they each made unique versions, suited for their environments. The humans of many coasts can breathe water as well as air, and though they live on the land, they suffer when too dry for too long. Humans of the desert on the other hand, enjoy the heat, and rarely suffer from sunburn or sunstroke; they find even temperate climates frigid, however. Humans of the jungles of Azmoth are adapted to living in the trees, and have an amazing speed and agility. Those from the mountains have an incredible strength and endurance. The plainsfolk can expand their minds to exceptional limits. Those of the forests are capable of perceiving things that may not even be there, though they are often called mad.
Here are the "elements" we came up with, as I think this list may not have made it specifically into the write up:
river, ocean/sea, forest, jungle, plains, desert, hill, mountain
Notice they're in something like pairs of similar but distinct differences.
Does that help?
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So do humans of a specific type/region stay in that region? It would kind of seem natural if they do, as a lot of who they are is dependent on where they are.
If they do, it lends an interesting dynamic to the geography. People would tend to stay in one area and not move very often. If they left their region, it would be a fairly temporary thing, as they would be eager to make it back. It would cut down on migrations and the cultural exchange that that entails, and even on ordinary trade. Basically, travelling would be a lot less common than on most worlds.
Also, what is the dynamic between the types? Would it be similar to race relations as we know them here on Earth? It would make sense if it did. These big differences in anatomy have the potential to create some real conflicts between types. What effect do these differences have on national identity? Do some nations handle the differences better?
It would seem that the Tylerian Empire, being mostly jungle, might be fairly unified. But other "nations" with more varied terrain might encompass a much greater mix of types, and have more potential for conflict or cooperation.
So I guess my questions are:
1. what effect does type have on the mobility of the population of Azmoth?
2. how do the different types get along with each other?
3. how do type relations affect the relations between the different nations and their citizens?
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So I guess my questions are:
1. what effect does type have on the mobility of the population of Azmoth?
2. how do the different types get along with each other?
3. how do type relations affect the relations between the different nations and their citizens?
1. types are not restricted to their geographic association, though what you say seems likely, they'll still tend to drift back home, or someplace like it. People don't get sick or die when away from their native element, though they may be uncomfortable. Others may like the adventure though, so I think there's more mingling.
2. that varies by region. So... choose for your own place. Rampant racism or general good feeling
3. since 2. is variable, so is 3.
I would point out that since most people are believers in the Anhouim and the Angels, there's a good shot at getting along due to a shared religioin. However, because many may feel like the angels that created them are the only real angels, or that their angels are gods (through misunderstanding the angels' role), this may not be enough to prevent conflict.
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Okay - that makes sense.
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I also meant to say that - and I don't like telling people what to do - but I think that since these are such core issues that go to the heart of a society, I think they should be addressed in every area.
So I'm not telling anyone what to do, but it would be strange to write up a region and not talk about these things, however you want to do it.
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no, you have a point, race relations is kind of at the core of a society's workings. Put it under "culture"
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I wouldn't say race relations are essential for every basic world description. This one is different, though.
The races are much more significant than skin color here. And when someone's going to build a TW(i)G human character it's one of the major things they're going to consider. So given that context I think it's important to mention. That's why I mentioned that.
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I have another question: how does a person become a certain type?
Is it due to the location of their birth? (born in a jungle, become jungle type.)
Is it due to the parents? (your parents were one or the other type, so you share that type. If parents were different types, your type is one of the two.)
Is it completely random?
Or what?
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Genetics
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Sorry - as ideas keep turning over in my head it spurs new questions and answers.
If type is determined by genetics a key question is about type intermarriage. If a society is suuportive of antagonistic "typism" then intertype marriage would be much less common.
A society where intertype marriage is common, though, would have a hard time being typist. And unless type includes outward physical differences from other types (skin color, for example) I can see intertype marriage being a fairly common thing, and typism as not so much of an issue.
I guess a new question I have is what are the physical differences (especially the obvious, outward ones) between types, if there are any? Or are the type abilities like special magical abilities in D&D, bestowed to humans by their angelic creators or left as kind of angelic signatures on their creations?
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Another question - this time about the map.
The dark green indicates jungle, correct? The light green would indicate temperate forests, then?
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ok, the easiest way to handle this is that the children of inter-type couplings are either one or the other. There are no "half-elves".
As for the exact appearance and abililties... .uh.. .yeah... I'll write that up. (so much work this month, and yet all I've been doing is playing Starcraft)
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yeah, I figured no half-types. I don't mean to pester you - I've just started working on TW(i)G and a lot of questions have been popping up that factor into what I want to write. I'm not as interested in the actual abilities as I am the outward appearance, for now. But eventually the abilities, too. I figure they'd play some sort of role in society.
And I'm assuming that my assumptions about the map are correct.
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sorry, your map question was posted while I was writing my response, I never saw the question. But you're right on that.
You're not pestering me, you're just making me feel guilty because I've been an incredible slacker this month. I'm going to do them both at the same time. We'll see if I get motivated to do that this week. If it doesn't happen tonight, it won't happen before Monday, tomorrow is too busy with my in-laws trying to drag out my horrible birthday to almost a week.
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Hey - November was a rush with NaNoWriMo, so you deserve a break. And whenever the stuff comes, that's fine. I've got plenty else that I can write without it.
I'm also counting on the fact that when it all gets written up there will be a good amount of revision, making sure everything checks with everything else, and fine-tuning it so that it's a solid product.
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that would be a good assumption. Expect edits
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Does that mean we can expect editors? Can we also get one of those flying terran gunship things? I liked those.
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I've finished writing up Silkur for the most part, but am waiting on the race information. If my opinion counts, I would have no external signs indicating race (type.) That just makes things a whole lot easier.
I'd like to start on another region, probably Bregtoran if that's okay. What do you think, Saint?
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I'm going to encourage you to do so. I havent' decided about races, mostly because I haven't thought about it. After I finish this novel outline, I'll think about it more.
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Okay, I'll go ahead. I figure the race thing isn't a problem, because things can always be added or changed. Let me know when you can look at things - I'll send the stuff I've done so far.
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I've finished up Bregtoran. I've now got 20+ pages on the two "nations." I'd like to look at doing Bask next, but that wouldn't happen as quickly as I wrote up Bregtoran. I'll go ahead with Bask, unless you guys (Saint & Sprig) would rather have more variety in involvement, which I would understand. Let me know.
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mostly we were outsourcing. want to email that stuff to me?
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ok
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ugg, haveing a country that has 4 different regions where life is completly different sure is hard to develop good. It feels like I'm developing 4 different places all at once.
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Sprigg - for some reason my thoughts have been turning back to Azmoth recently and I've had some neat ideas for Tarth, which I know you were intending to write some time ago. Do you still want to write that up, or can I take it?
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well I've thought about it in the past few months, but I frankly dont have time for probaly the rest of the year. Most of my stuff is for Parth, but I have some border citys and timelines for Tarth.
I've ziped and uploaded what I've done so far (maps, some city info and a timeline) and if you want you can use any of that you feel like. There's no need to stick with what I've started since I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back to it.
www.legacieslost.com/TWG/TWIG/TWIG.zip
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cool. TW(i)G is the next of my extracurricular projects. (The first is getting a bunch of websites up to speed)
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Well I'm interested to see the final product, but it's not even on my top 10 anymore with school and all I've got too many other things to deal with. And if I'm going to spend free time writing stuff I think reviews and other articles for TWG is more important then this which may or may not get the proper game treatment (ie rules and such).
Though if you two could get TWIG to a weekly or bi-weekly occurrence (ie articles to be published) that would be something cool.
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That's no inconceivable.
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/me pokes Lieutenant Kije
Hey, the next TW(i)G article is being posted tomorrow, and now that I've written as many pages on it as you again, I was wondering if you'd mind taking a shot at helping out some more.
What we have left to write up is Tarth, Parthann, and the Free Cities. They all have a bit of a shared history, though the Free Cities break off a lot earlier than the Tarth/Parthann split, so it would take a little bit of coordination, but it'd be nice to have some help.
Jeffe once mentioned he might do something about our "Bay of Pirates" region, though I don't know how committed he is to it, and it might be fun to have a short article on the Demon Cliffs.
Actually, anyone can help. that was the original idea, that anyone can contribute. So.. volunteers?
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You know, I was going to ping the TW(i)G Meisters again in a couple of weeks. Teaching school has put writing to a complete halt for me, but it's done in a week and a half. I would love to write more. Free cities sounds fun; I'd try and make it a diverse area yet with a degree of cohesion that binds the region together in some ways and makes it more than a random assortment of variety.
As far as coordination goes, what I would need would be a T/Parth/ann timeline of events affecting the free cities, and any other info (politics, military, etc.) on T/P that could have bearing on the free cities. Also, basics on their culture, as I imagine much of the Free Cities population comes from P/T.
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I'll shoot you an email. I believe I can have all that information together by this afternoon.
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So I'm working on the Free Cities...
Just two questions for Sprig or Satan, whoever would know:
What is Tarth's attitude toward the Free Cities?
Also, I've read Sprig's writeup on Parthann, which contains the central myth of their religion. Is Tarthite religion very similar? Any other details on Tarthite religion would be helpful (not absolutely critical to my progress, but helpful.)
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If I remember correctly I was going to have both Tarth and Parth have mixed reactions to the Free Cities, some they liked, some they didn't.
They didn't care for the fact that these places were out of their control but some were more tolerable then others. That way there could be some inter strife with in the cities and those countries about the whole issue. But you do what you think works, I'm not in this project anymore aside from some commenting now and again, you should run wild.
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The religions are similar. They were previously one empire/one religion. then they split. Parthann is more intellectual/secularly oriented.
Tarth doesn't have the resources to go after anyone else right now. So while there are those who think the free cities should be under their control, there's little that can be done and so the official policy (for now) is to trade with them. Since cities have various governments though, Tarth probably likes some of them more than others.
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So...more questions, Satan. The dotted line to the left of the Free Cities is the border of Tyleria, right? So the large city just inside that border would be what you referred to as Bardenstock in the Tyleria article. It is mentioned as a conquered free city, and described a little, so I'm not going to mention it (maybe in passing) in the Free Cities article.
Also, the Tyleria article mentions a city called Carpath at the mouth of the Ourismi river (I'm assuming that's the river that flows through Free Cities land.) Since it doesn't appear on the main map, I'm guessing it's not as large as the others? But since it has been mentioned, I will talk about it.
So according to the map the Free Cities have two major population centers for sure (one in the far south and one on the east bank of the Ourismi.) The city at the foot of the Kharnis Highlands...is that Free as well, or does it belong to Tarth? I could make good use of it in the Free Cities.
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you are correct about Bardenstock. It's not technically a free city anymore, but a passing reference would not be out of place.
As for Carpath... we can draw it on to the map. It would make sense that such a city would be significant in size. I'll change the map based on your write up, if needed.
Feel free to use that other city. I haven't named it or come up with a use. I reckon, however, it's a border city, and, at the very least, there's a strong loyal Tarth population there.
YOu can make up other cities too. The map is not to be considered final.